Torque converter with variable stator

An improvement in a fluid torque converter which includes a main stator communicating with a stationary member, a pump drivingly connected to an engine and a turbine output coupled to a drive shaft, the improvement comprising:

• an auxiliary stator intermediate the main stator and the pump, said auxiliary stator including a plurality of holes therethrough adjacent the periphery thereof;
• a plurality of vanes fixedly attached to a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted through said holes, said vanes being positioned to adjustably direct a flow of hydraulic fluid from the main stator past the vanes to the pump;
• a plurality of handles, one attached at a fixed angle to an end of each of said shafts removed from the vanes thereon;
• a sleeve including a plurality of slots at one end thereof, the number of slots being in one to one relation with the number of said handles, one handle being slidably held in each of said slots, said slots being at a skew angle relative to the axis of said sleeve;
• and
• means for preventing rotation of said piston relative to said stator;
• and
• means for operator adjustment of the linear position of said sleeve.

An improvement in a fluid torque converter, which includes a main stator communicating with a stationary member, a pump drivingly connected to an engine and a turbine output coupled to a drive shaft, the improvement comprising:

• an auxiliary stator intermediate the main stator and the pump, the auxiliary stator including a plurality of holes therethrough adjacent the periphery thereof;
• a plurality of vanes fixedly attached to a plurality of shafts rotatably mounted through said holes, said vanes being positioned to adjustably direct a flow of hydraulic fluid from the main stator past the vanes to the pump;
• a plurality of handles, one attached at a fixed angle to an end of each of said shafts removed from the vanes thereon;
• a sleeve including a plurality of slots parallel to the axis thereof at one end thereof, the number of slots being in one to one relation with the number of said handles, one handle being slidably held in each of said slots;
• and
• means for operator adjustment of the rotational position of said sleeve about its axis.